*
banner

MSLBBA Solo & Ensemble Contest

It's a bit of a mouthful but there is plenty on offer in Musselburgh next month for budding soloists and ensembles — all under the eye of Les Neish.

 

Mid Scotland and Lothian Brass Band Association (formerly Edinburgh Charities Band Association) will hold their annual solo and ensemble contest in Musselburgh East Community Centre on November 8th.

Break Out

The timetable will include two ‘break-out’ sessions where the adjudicator will deliver a masterclass.

The adjudicator is Les Neish, principal tuba with Foden’s Band, the current British Open Champion. Masterclasses are open to both competitors and non competitors and are free of charge. The accompanist for all sections is Fiona Dixon.

Timetable – Subject to entry levels.

MSLBBA will attempt to run to this schedule but reserve the right to alter timings as necessary.

The timetable will include two ‘break-out’ sessions where the adjudicator will deliver a masterclassOrganisers

Timetable:

Assemble & roll-call: 9:10am
Junior Draw: 9:15am

Start of Junior Ensembles: 9:30am
Start of Junior Solos: 9:50am
Approx time. The Junior solos start immediately after the Junior ensembles

Intermediate roll call & draw: 10:00am
Start of Intermediate Ensembles: 11:15am
Approx time. The Intermediate ensembles start immediately after the Junior solos

Start of Intermediate Solos: 11:40am
Approx time. The intermediate solos will start immediately after the Intermediate ensembles.

Youth roll call & draw: 12:30pm

Announcement of results & presentation of prizes – Intermediate & Youth contests: 13:00pm
Approx time. The adjudicator & accompanist will have a break immediately after the intermediate soloists finish.

Breakout: 13:30pm
Approx time. This will take place after the awards presentation. The adjudicator invites the morning’s prizewinners and competitors to take part in a masterclass/workshop session.

Open roll call and draw: 14:00pm
Start of Youth Ensembles: 14:00pm
Approx time — the Youth ensembles will start immediately after the breakout.

Start of Youth Solos: 14:30pm
Approx time — the Youth solos will start immediately after the Youth ensembles

Start of Open Ensembles: 15:30pm
Approx time — the Open ensembles will start immediately after the Youth solos

Start of Open Solos: 16:00pm
Approx time — the Open solos will start immediately after the open ensembles.

Announcement of Results & presentation of prizes – Open & Youth contests: 16:30pm
Approx time. This will take place immediately after the open contest finishes.

Breakout: 16:45pm
The adjudicator invites the afternoon’s prizewinners and competitors to take part in a masterclass/workshop session.

Prizes:

Best soloist in each category will receive the British Energy trophies, and a keepsake award. Best ensemble in each category will receive the British Energy trophies and keepsake awards.

1st & 2nd runners up in each category receive keepsake awards.

The top 3 places in the junior, intermediate and youth sections will
be invited to compete at the Besson Scottish Solo and Ensemble Finals on Saturday 7 February 2009.

MSLBBA thank British Energy Generation (UK) Ltd., of Torness Nuclear Power Station for their generous donation of the trophies in 2003.

Entries:

Entries should be forwarded to the Secretary on or before the 1st November 2008.

After that date, there will be no fee refund for withdrawals and any late entries will only be accepted with double the entry fee. The absolute deadline will be 5th November, after which no further entries will be accepted.

29 Middleshot Square
Prestonpans
East Lothian
EH32 9RQ
Tel 01875 813142

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Spring Festival

Spring Festival feedback welcomed by Mortimers

May 5 • If you have constructive feedback to offer on the recent Spring Festival weekend, then the organisers welcome your responses.


podcast

4BR Review podcast — European and Spring Festival focus

May 5 • Plenty of issues to discuss on the live podcast this Wednesday at 7.00pm — and you can have your say.


jOHN gILLAM

Death of John Gillam

May 4 • The death has been announced of the hugely respected player and administrator.


British Open

Result: 2026 Spring Festival Grand Shield

May 3 • Milnrow claims the Grand Shield honours to return to the British Open with Hepworth joining them.


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Woodbridge Excelsior Band

Saturday 9 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Glossop Old Band

May 5 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history


East London Brass

May 5 • Solo Cornet: fresh off the back of our promotion to the Grand Shield, ELB are on the look out for a solo cornet player to complement our existing section. The band is ambitious and has an exciting second half of the year ahead.


Chinnor Silver

May 5 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (11th) at 11am and welcome players of all abilities.. Come and enjoy a relaxed rehearsal mixed genres of music with some very friendly folks with tea and cake. It does not impact your own band and its free


Ronnie MacNiven

MMus GRSM LRAM
Trombonist, composer, conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd